Commando Archive

• The Devswill be preparing the Combat Revamp docs this week (meaning that we correspondents will take some more time to digest and make suggestions) and they will trickle out starting a week from Monday.


• And most importantly...thepurpose of the summit was to get our impressions of the combat balance and ifwe had all rejected it,they would have also rejected and reedesigned it. As it turns out, pretty much all of the Correspondents LOVED IT...I can't think of one Correspondent who had any complaints besides a few minor things...Because we liked it so much and they don't need to reedesign it, things should hopefully go even more smootly.

As most people know...I'm under an agreement not to share any specifics of what I saw or heard regarding the Revamp...It's part of the package that comes with being a Correspondent. It's not to keep secrets, but more important that you all hear ALL ASPECTS of the revamp and not just specific highlights...and it needs to be covered in a certain order so that you get the full impact of what's coming and how it will effect us in the grand scheme of things...That's why the Devs want to release the information in a way that will help you understand how Combat is changing and how those changes will effect each and every Combat related (and some non-combat) professions specifically...

But I also want to say that my time at the Summit wasn't only used to review the Combat Revamp issues...There wasn't a meal or a gathering outside the Summit that I didn't spend time bending an ear of a Dev or Programmer...They gave me plenty of insights into how things work, what is and what is not currently a Bug (and they were very interested in our bugs) and really receptive to some of our other non-Combat Revamp ideas we've been generating (things like the Assult rifle, E-Web, etc)...

I also spent some great one on one time with the other Correspondents discussing our Professions and their futures...where we saw things going and how we'll interact in a balanced way. Everyone was VERY open to tons of ideas.

I would honestly say that this Summit was VERY successful...The ultimate Commando plan and how the Combat Revamp will effect us is in my hands...And I can honestly say things couldn't be brighter for us as a WELL Balanced profession that fits a "role" that very much suits us.

What I know you will all know in the next few weeks as information trickles out...And soon, our 5 picks will accompany me to the Sandbox to test the heck out of the Combat Revamp's impact on Commandos...And the coolest thing is, nothing is set in stone yet...if our tests tell us something needs to be tweaked up or down, the Devs will work with us to make those changes before anything hits live...

You all have much reason to feel skeptical about the Revamp...we've felt burned on more then one occasion...but this time things a different...I've seen first hand their excitement and energy behind this revamp...I've spoken with the Programmers who are making their duties this Revamp...and all of us Correspondents love their ideas...

I have never seen or heard of any MMO willing to go to the lenghs SOE is about to partake in to make their Consumers happy...If all goes well, we will all have reason to celebrate and feel a like we are playing this game brand new...

Message Edited by garvin on 08-29-2004 05:34 PM

Message Edited by RankorCity on 08-29-2004 07:33 PM

Message Edited by RankorCity on 08-29-2004 07:38 PM

1. Professional Curtesy...It was explained to us in a certain order and in a certain way that the devs want to follow in explaining it to you...They've asked for that chance, and all the Correspondents plan on respecting their request...


2. If I or anyone explains things even slightly wrong or in the wrong order, it could cause confussion, false speculation, and all kinds of bad things that could impact the timing of the Revamp going live...

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RankorCity wrote:

Also, was therea specific TIME FRAME for the CB mentioned? And not a vague answer such as "After JTL" (a la wait for the combat balance mantra)

Message Edited by RankorCity on 08-29-2004 07:38 PM

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No specific timeframe referenced...I think it all depends on how well the Sandbox testing goes...if it goes well, it will go live sooner, but likewise...if it goes poorly or a lot of bugs are found, well you know...

I has been suggested that Sandbox testing could possibly start in the next few weeks, but that hasn't been confirmed...

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garvin wrote:

When I became a Correspondent I signed an NDA...it wasn't specific to this event...

The reason for the secrecy is 2 fold mostly...

1. Professional Curtesy...It was explained to us in a certain order and in a certain way that the devs want to follow in explaining it to you...They've asked for that chance, and all the Correspondents plan on respecting their request...


2. If I or anyone explains things even slightly wrong or in the wrong order, it could cause confussion, false speculation, and all kinds of bad things that could impact the timing of the Revamp going live...

Personally, I'm not willing to risk anything that will keep us from the goal I've seen...and unfortunately that means I can't report things out just yet...Plus, not everything is "set in stone" yet...some things are still in flux...so I'd hate to see them report some aspect, get people related to that aspect excited, then have to tell them they can't do it...we've seen that happen before and seen first hand the massive negativity that follows...That's why they want the opportunity to report things as they are going on the Sandbox...and as they change on the Sandbox via our testing, they'll report that as well....

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Thats all fine and dandy, Garvin...

But...I think its a mistake for them to not to say "Garvin, this is what you can go back to your forum with: FT and HAR merged, upgraded melee and ranged defenses, with def vs mods...Accuracy and speed increased throughout the board, new weapons (this doesnt have to be specific, just the idea of it), the new tree that we are supposed to be getting...etc etc etc..."

And as far as point number 2 is concerned, dont you think its a little late to be concerned with anything impacting the timing? I mean, how many times has it been pushed aside already?

I would rather know specifically (yes, I snuck around the house for Xmas presents as a kid) what changes they have in mind for us, and if its something they cannot do, then thats fine. I would at least know they had a grand vision of something, but yet it just wasnt feasible from a programming standpoint. I can live with that.

But the constant carrot dangling just rubs me the wrong way...I realize they are hesitant to give a time frame, as many times as they have burned their own ass by doing that...But come on...Sooner or later, they have to get it done, and get it right...

The devs could tell us NOW, and save alot more problems later. They botched it the first (okay...10) time, and it gives me no reason to believe they can get right now (or two, three months from now).

I realize I am the constant pessimist, and I dont want to seem like I am busting your balls...But, this whole cloak and dagger routine, frankly, sucks.

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garvin wrote:

PS...there will be pictures posted soon...boy did we all take a lot of pictures...and many of a special little present a certain Commando presented TH with on behalf of all the Correspondents and all you Commandos...

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